Electrically-releasable bolt keeper



Dec. 29, 1936. H. F. KEIL 2,066,277

ELECTRICALLY RELEAABLE BOLT KEEPER Filed Dec. 13, -1934 2 Sheets-Shea?.l

20a 20k! yf 20b INVENTOR Dec. 29, 1936. H. F. KEIL ELECTRICALLYRELEASABLE BOLT KEEPEH.

TTORNEYS Patented Dec. 29, 1936 PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICALLY-RELEASABLEBOLT KEEPER Henry F. Keil, Scarsdale, N. Y., assignor to Francis Keil &Son, Inc., a corporation of New York Application December 13, 1934,Serial No. 757,292

17 Claims. (Cl. I0-52) This invention relates to vso--called electricdoor openers and more particularly to the construction of a remotelycontrolled keeper for the bolt of a door lock or the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a releasable keeperconstruction in which the cost of manufacture may be greatly reduced andthe action and construction improved. Another object is to provide areleasable keeper construction in which the individual parts may berapidly and inexpensively, but accurately, manufactured and quickly andinexpensively assembled. Another object is to provide a releasablekeeper construction in which certain parts thereof may be die-cast withcoacting or mating portions thereof shaped to mount and receive certainof the moving parts, but in such manner that the resultant assemblyachieves, Without requiring precision of fitting or, for that matter,Without requiring any fitting thereof, proper and dependable interactionof the moving and other parts. Another object is to provide aconstruction of the above mentioned character in which the various partsmay be genuinely standardized and inexpensively fabricated instandardized dimensions, shapes or designs, and capable, for example, ofbringing about thentended and reliable coactions and interactionsthereof.

Another object is to provide, in a construction lof the above mentionedcharacter, easily replaceable parts, whereby replacement or repairs maybe quickly made. Another object is to provide, in a construction of theabovementioned character, an inexpensive, simple, but thoroughlypractical and dependable, means of mounting the electrical orelectro-magnetic parts thereof, and to permit the rapid and inexpensiveincorporation thereof into the entire assembly. Another object is toprovide a simple and practical method of carrying out objects such asthose set forth above. Other objects will be in part obvious or in partpointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of elements and arrangements of parts as Will beexemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scopeof the application of which Will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which I have shown one of variouspossible embodiments of the mechanical and electrical features of myinvention,

Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional View through a door and door frameillustrative of a practicalinstallation of a releasable keeperconstruction a keeper plate and related integral parts, the 10" parts ofFigure 3 being some of those that are omitted from Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective View of the keeper per se;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an armature 15l which comes under thecontrol of the electromagnetic means shown in Figure 7 and is adapted tocontrol the release of the keeper of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a perspective View of a lever through which the armature ofFigure 5 controls the keeper of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a perspective View of the electromagnetic sub-assembly;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional View on an enlarged scale as seen alongthe line 8`8 of Figure 7; and

Figure 9 is a perspective or isometric view of the main portion of thecasing and related parts for receiving and for coacting with the partsshown in Figures 3 to '7 inclusive. 0,

As conducive to a clearer understanding of cer- 3 tain features of myinvention, reference might first be made to Figure 1 in which I haveindicated at I0 a door or the like provided with any suitable boltmechanism, usually of the latchbolt type, and hence provided with aspring-projected latch bolt II operable from the inside of the door, asby the door knob or other suitable place indicated at I2, but notoperable from the exterior of the door, as by the door knob or otherdevice indicated at I3, excepting that the latch bolt II may bewithdrawn from the outside of the door IIJ by any suitable key andkey-controlled mechanism (not shown).

The door swings into closedposition relative to any suitable door jambor frame or Wall I4, the spring-opposed latch bolt I I projecting inback of a keeper which may be retracted from a remote point Within thestructure to permit the door Il! to be` opened from the outside thereofeven though the latch bolt II can not be retracted from the exterior ofthe door.

, Constructions embodying a releasable or retractable keeper, usuallyelectro-magnetically controlled, as heretofore constructed are in a5,54A

large measure characterized by crudeness and cumbersomeness ofconstruction and assembly, and principally by increased cost ofmanufacture due to the repeated cut-and-try methods of assembly that areemployed due to the character of the construction itself. For example,the parts, as heretofore constructed, require the machining of certainYparts or portions thereof but precision of machining can not effectivelybe carried out and as a result, when these devices are assembled inaccordance with past practice, parts thereof have to be repeatedlytakengout, led off or ground, other parts touched up or `iiled orground, reassembly effected and, if that reassembly does not achieveoperative results, one or more orrseveral or more parts are again takenout of the mechanism, again touched up, ground, led or what not, andthus a nally operative Las'- sembly is hoped to be achieved. Y

Furthermore, in such prior constructions l`and methods of procedureconsiderable spoilage of parts results, and the cost of manufacture-thus additionally increased. Furthermore, parts that are subjected togreatest Wear or that have to bear severe strains and that are usuallyhardened are often times permanently deteriorated, during the grinding`or filing thereof, by the resultant softening thereof. Y

One of the dominant aims of this invention is to effectively avoid suchdisadvantages and deficiencies as those noted above, and to provide aremotely controlled retractable keeper construction and a mode ofconstruction and assembly thereof that will materially decrease the costof manufacture while insuring the production of a far superior mechanismor device than has heretofore been possible.

Accordingly, andagain referring-'to Figure 1, I first provide a casinggenerally indicated at I5 adapted to support and contain the workingparts of the mechanism and shaped to be received within a suitablerecessIda in the Wall or door frame I4 and adapted to present to the latchbolt II a releasable keeper. The casing I5 is preferably made ofs/everal parts, individually cast or prev formed, and adapted to beintertted and interrelated with each other, and accordingly a detaileddescription of the major one' of these'sev` eral partsV may first beconsidered.

In Figure 9 is shown in perspective one of the casing parts and it isconstructed and shaped, as is about to be described, so as to be capableof being die cast out of any suitable metal and, accordingly andpreferably the construction, as shown in Figure 9, is unitary orintegral throughout. This casing part, designated as a whole by thereference character I6, has a bottom wall II,V

generally rectangular in shape, and at its opposite ends there areupstanding the end vwalls I8 and I9; the casing part I6 also providesanother wall of the outer casing and that may be termed the front wall20 extended at its respective ends 20a and 20h as well as at itsrespective sides, as at 2|lc and 20d, beyond the dimensions of thebottom and end walls |1, I8 and I9, thereby to provide a peripherallyflanged or extended front wall which, when the ultimate assembly is setinto the hole I4a of wall I4 (see Figure 1) may overlap the open end ofthe hole I4a and may be utilized, as by suitable screws (not shown)passed through the holes 20e and 20j (Figure 9) and threaded into thewall I4.

The casing part IB (Figure'9) is also formed or shaped to receive or tocoact with other parts of the mechanism, but in order better and moreclearly to understand how the casing part I Bis constructed for thesepurposes, considerationof the special construction of lthese other partsand of a description thereof must first be had; accordingly, referencemay now be made to Figure 4, in which is shown in perspective a keepermember, generally designated by the reference character 2|, andconstructed and' shaped for coaction with certain features of the casingpart I 6.

The keeper member 2| is, in transverse crosssection, generally T-shaped,as is better shown in theV cross-*sectional view of Figure 1, andaccordingly has an arm-like lateral extension 2|a which is the effectivekeeper portion thereof adapted to coact (directly with the latch bolt IIYand which has an roppositely directed arm-like portion 2lb (Figure 1)provided with a socket or ,y

- coacting bearings later to be described, determin` ing the axis aboutwhich the keeper 2| (see Figure 1) may pivot. n

As is better shown in Figure 4, the keeper portion 2|a of the keeper.2|, as well as thesocalled vertical orupstanding portion 2| d thereof,

is of substantial dimension in the direction of the o axis of the keeper2 I, that axis (see now Figure l) being substantially parallel to theaxis about which the door Illswings, whereby the keeper 2| is made topresent relatively broad parts or surfaces or portions to the latch boltwhich may be of similar breadth or extent or less than that, as thelatch bolt ||.slides inwardly (to the right recess2|c vfor thereceptionof one end of an' in Figure 1) ,and moves downwardly (as viewed inFigure 1) during the door-closing operation or as the latch bolt II,when the keeper 2| is swung in counter-.clockwise direction as viewed inFigure 1, slides yagainst and past the broad end face of the keeperportion 2|a thereof.

The front wall 20.(Figure 9) of the casing part I6 is provided with arectangularly shaped opening 23 adjacent to which the keeper member 2|is mounted and through which :the keeper portion 2|a thereof ispositioned for coaction with the latch bolt I (Figure 1), the bottomwall I1 (Fig` ure 9) of the casing part |6 being cut away as at Ilathroughout a width equivalent tothe axial dimension: of the Vportions2|a and 2Id of the keeper 2| (Figure. 4) and `to a depth substantiallyequivalent to the amount `which the latch bolt II (Figure 1)projectsbeyond the left-'hand edge of the door I0; this cut-'awayportion Ila of the bottom wall I1 is also apparent in Figure 1, fromwhich it will be seen that, Vif the keeper member 2| is swung incounter-clockwise direction to disengage it from the latch bolt I, therecess 'or hole 23 and the recess I-la in the'wa`11s-20 and of thecasing part I1 (Figure '9) permit the free and unobstructed movement(upwardly as viewed in Figure 1) of the latch bolt II with the door asthe latter is swung in counter-clockwise direction. F

Now the end wall I9 (Figure 9) of the casing part I 6 is cut away orrecessed as at |9a, and in with the other vertical wall of theapertureor recess 23 (Figure 9) is an inside upstanding wall portion 24of the same height from the bottom Wall I1 as is the end wall I9, wallportion or support 24 being recessed as at 24a, and in the bottom of therecess 24a thereis formed a 'halfcylindrical bearing or bearing surface24bcoaxial with and of the same radius of curvature as the bearing I9babove described.

The spacing between the wall portions I9 and 24 is such that the keepermember 2| (Figure. 4) is neatly receivable or received therebetween,trunnions 2Ie and 2| f being received within the bearings I9b and 24h,respectively.. Member 2|, when thus slipped downwardly in between thewall portions I9 and 24 of Figure 9, thereby.be., comes related tothecasing part. I6 much 'as appears from Figure 2"and also Figure 1; asis better. shown in Figure 2, the arm 2Ib of the keeper member 2|extends almost horizontally with the spring-receiving recess 2Ic facingupwardly.

At the same time the other arm portion or keeper portion 2 Ia of member2| virtually fills up the recess 23-| 1a (Figure 9) and is positionedVto have certain of its parts, as already above described, exposedtherethrough for ultimate coaction with the latch bolt II.

End wall I9 is provided with another recess |90v whose vertical walls,like those of the recesses I9a and 24a above described, are parallel.The recess I9c is of greater depth than recesses I9a and 24a, and in itsbottom it is shaped to provide a half-cylindrical bearing or bearingsurfaces I9d.

Upstanding from the bottom wall I1 and parallel to the end wall I9 and,like the other parts, preferably cast integrally therewith, is a wallportion 25 recessed as at 25a and in the bottom thereof provided with ahalf-cylindrical bearing or bearing surface 25d, axially aligned withand preferably of the same radius of curvature asv the bearing |9d inthe end wall I9. 'I

These half-bearings I9d and 25d receive the trunnions 26a and 26h of alever member generally indicated at 26 in Figure 6.

Member 26, clearly shown in perspective in Figure 6, comprises in effectan L-shaped casting in the ends of the long arm 26o of whichthetrunnions 26a and 26h arevformed and in the outer end of the shortarm 26d of which there is secured a mechanical contact member 21. Themember 21 is preferably of a metal thatV is Well adapted to resist wearand may, for example, be made of hardened steel set into a slot inv theend of the arm 26d and secured in place by a rivet or the like, butpreferably where the lever member 26 is a casting, such as a diecasting, the wearresisting member 21 is rst set into a die or mold andthe member 26 cast about it.

The uppermost face of the long arm 26o, as viewed in Figure 6, isprovided with a recess 26e (see also Figure 1) of suiiicient extent inthe direction of the length of the long arm 26C adequately toaccommodate therein the extreme end of the arm portion 2lb (Figures 4and 1 and 2) of the keeper member 2|. I

Projecting substantially normally to the plane of the L-shaped lever 26(Figure 6) and preferably cast or formed integrally therewith, is a lug26)e shaped substantially as appears best in Figures 6 and 1, andforming in effect a grip or han-f dle which may be grasped between theforenger and the thumb in order to facilitate setting the lever 26in'tofthe casing part I6 (see Figure` 9) and to bring the trunnions 26aandi-'26h intositting relation with respectl to thebearingsl I9dA and25d respectively, the lug or handle' portion 26f permit ting the lever26 to be manipulated so as to bring its arm 26d into the spacebetween'the wall por-y tions 24 and 25 (see Figures 9 and 2) and tobringthe ledge bounding the recess '26e'underneath the arm 2lb (seeFigure l) of the keeper mem' ber 2|.

Upstanding from the bottom wall I1 ofthe casA` ing part I6 (Figure 9)and preferably cast integrally therewith, is a stud or post 28'positioned as is better shown in Figures 2 and 9, which 'is' ofslightly lesser height than the height'of thev end wall I8. This post 28is to support and to serve asa pivot for an armature generally indicatedby the reference character 29 and better shown in perspective in Figure5. Armature 29 is made of any'suitable magnetic material, preferably ofsheet steel of appropriate thickness, and is shaped lso as to be readilyand .easily stamped into the desired shape or form, as is better shownin Figure 5.

Accordingly, armature 29 is provided with two spaced ears 29a and 29hwhich are apertured to receive therethrough the stud 28 (Figure 9) andto pivot freely about the latter.'

The ears 29a yand 29D are spaced apart `so that,

when the armature 29'is` dropped into the casing part I6 and its twospaced ears slipped over the pivot pin or stud 28, the latter issubstantially accommodated within the space between the planes oftheoutside surfaces of the two ears, andV it will be' seen that the portion29e of the arma" ture 29 that extends to the left of the ears 29a and29h is thus brought into coacting relation with the hardened steelinsert 21 of the lever 26 (as is better shown in Figure 2). ferring nowagain to Figure 5, the lower side por'- tion of the armature end 29e iscut away as at 29d so that, when the armature 29 is positioned on itsstud 28, the steel insert 21 of the lever 26 is better and morecompactly related to it for coactions later described. Preferably theend portion 29e of the armature 29 is hardened.

The portion 29e of the armature 29 (Figure 5) that extends to the rightof the ears 29a and 29h is to coact with a suitable electro-magneticmeans, preferably taking the form of two electro-magnets generallyindicated at 36 and 3| in Figure 2, and constructed and mounted andrelated to the other parts in a manner about to be described, but whenproperly mounted and positioned a spring 32 (Figures 2 and 5) madepreferably of a non-magnetic material such as brass or bronze andsecured to the armature 29 as by a pin or rivet 33, restsagainst theexposed cores 34 and 35 (Figure 2) of the electromagnets 30 and 3|,respectively, and thus normally urges and holds the armature 29 (Figure2) away from the cores 34 and 35.

The extreme right-hand end of the armature 29 is ;bent substantially atright angles to the portion` 29e to provide an end part 29f which, whenthe armature 29 is supported by t-he stud 26 as shown in Figure 2, abutsagainst the insideV face of the front wall 20 in the casing part I6 andthus limits the extent to which the spring 32 can force the armature 29away from the magnet cores. Its normal position, or position of rest, isthat shown in Figure 2, and when in that position the left-hand portion29o thereof overlaps the hardened insert 21 in the short arm 26d of thelever 26, and thus acts as a stop to pre-` vent swinging movement of thelever 26'.

Considering now the mounting of the electromagnets 3Il-3I `and theirassembly with respect Moreover, re-

' in which is threaded the threaded shank of ther to .the abovedescribed parts, it is first to `be noted, referring .now again toFigure 9, that the forward inside ends of the bottom wall I1 and endwalls I8 and I9, as viewed in Figure 9, are flanged or otherwise shapedto provide grooves I1g, I8g, and I 9g, all connected as shown in Figure9. These anges or grooves are shaped moreover, as are the other featuresand vportions of the casing part I6, to facilitate die castingk thereof.

As earlier above noted, the electro-magneticmeans that is to act uponthe armature 29 may, and preferably does, comprise two coactingelectro-magnets 30-3I these are shown in Figures 2 and 7. Electro-magnet30 may comprise an iron core 34 and a Winding 36 carried ltherebybetween insulating disks 31-38, suitably fixed thereto; andelectro-magnet 43I may comprise an iron core 35 with a winding 39thereon and held in place by end insulating disks -4I, suitably xed orsecured to the core 35. Cores 34 and 35 (Figure 2) have extensions 34aand 35a of reduced diameters received respectively in appropriatelyspaced holes 42a and 42h (Figures 1, 2,

vand '1) in an iron or steel plate 42 molded into a member 44 made ofany suitable solid dielectric material, such as fibre, bakelite,laminated bakelite, or the like. Any suitable means may be employed forpreventing the reduced core ends 34a and 35a from going out of the holes42a and 42h, respectively, of the inset member 42 and illustratively theextreme ends may be headed over, as at 34h and 35h respectively, muchthe same as a rivet may be expanded or headed over. By this means thecores, and hence the electromagnets 30-3I are rigidly and dependablymounted onto the member 44 (Figure '1) and in approp-riate spacedrelation, it being noted that the assembly `of these parts may bequickly and easily carried on and, moreover, free from cumbersome orannoying operations.

The electromagnets SI1-3l (Figures 2 and '7) will be seen to be mountedadjacent the righthand endof the insulating member 44 and appropriatelyspaced in the remaining or left-hand half portion of the insulatingmember 44 are provided terminal binding posts or binding screws 45 and46, to which the conductors 41 and 48 (Figure 2) leading from thewindings 36 and 39 (which are preferably connected in series) areconnected. This connection anda construction of the binding screws arepreferably as shown in-'Figure 8, a description of which will Suflicefor both.

Accordingly, it will be seen that in the outer face of the insulatingmember 44 I provide a recess 44e between the bottom of which anda Washerlis received the bared wire 5I of the conductor 41, the latter beingbrought from the inside or rear face of the insulating member 44 throughan aperturev or hole 44j that is drilled or formed adjacent to thethreaded hole 44g binding screw 45.

When, therefore, the insulating member 44 with its electro-magnets 30and 3l and terminal connectors 45 and 46 forming a sub-assembly or unit,as appears in Figure 7, is dropped or slid downwardly so'that its ribsslide into and interengage the above-mentioned grooves in the casingpart I6, the latter will have added to it anotherclosing wall, but atvthe same time the electro-magnets 30-3I becomeproperly andappropriately related 'to the armature 29 (see now Figure .2) 4and the.connecting screws 45-46 ,ibe-A come part .of the ultimate casing.constructionbut (see Figure 2) vpositioned for access theretoexternally, as for the connection thereto of the outside conductors 52and 53.

In the lultimate installation, therefore, the binding screws 45 and 46(see now Figures 2 and 1) may be slightly backed oi to permit the baredconductors to be -hooked or wrapped around the Shanks of the bindingscrews but in between the heads thereof and the washers 50.

When :the binding screws 45 and 46 are tightened' up the conductorsrelated to each are securely clamped'and thus dependable connections tothe windings of the electro-magnets assured.

Though in the foregoing description it may be inferred that the sequence`of assembly of the parts is such that the keeper 2I (Figure 4) mustfirst be related to the casing part I6, then the receiver 26 (Figure 6),then the armature 29 (Figure 5) and then the subassembly 3Il-3I---44v(Figure 7), it is to be distinctly understood that that sequence ismerely illustrative and has been adopted to achieve greater clarity ofdescription. Any order or sequence of assembly that may be found moredesirable than any other may be adopted and carried out. In any event,however, the accurately pre-formed ror pre-dimensioned parts, whenassembled to the casing part I6, are, particularly due to the uniquefeatures of construction and arrangement described, .,capable, when theassembly is ultimately completed, of proper and dependable operation.Tedious time-consuming or laborious ttingl ing or grinding accompaniedby cut-and-try methods and repeated assemblies and disassemblies areentirely avoided and, moreover, the assembly of the partsy thus fardescribed, requiring at the most only the sequential laying of the partsinto the casing part I6, is a matter of only a few seconds.

Having completed the assembly thus far, the ultimate casing will be seento have been provided withall but one closing wall, and there remains tobe assembled thereto and fixed in position the remaining closing wallwhich is to be juxtapositioned to the bottom wall I1 (Figure 9) of thecasing part ,I6 vand thev construction of which is best shown in Figure3, wherein it is designated by the reference character 55.

This closing wall (Figure3) is a plate-like member, generallyrectangular in shape, and dimensioned to overlapy .the end walls I8 andI9 of the casing part I6 (Figure 9) and to overlap the end wall formedby the insulating member 44 (Figures 2 and 3), and to be intertted withor to be overlapped by the front wall 20 (Figures 9 and 2).

At its end face the plate member 55, also shaped and dimensioned to bereadily die cast, has depending therefrom and integrally formedtherewith two longitudinally spaced parts `55a and 55h provided withhalf-cylindrical bearing surfaces or bearings 55c and 55d respectively,these parts being shaped and spaced to be received respectively in theVrecesses I9a and 24a (Figure 9) of `the wall portions I.9 and24 of thecasing part I6. 'Ihe half-cylindrical bearing surfaces thereof closeover the exposed portions of the trunnions 2Ie and 2If of the keepermem` ber `2I thatv rests in the half-bearings I9b and 24h vas vabovedescribed, thus providing these trunnions with complete bearings ofadequate size and dimensions for long, continued use.

Member 55l (Figure `3) also has depending therefrom and `integrallyformed Ytherewith parts ed 'flange 55p (Figure 3)k along the right-hand55e and 551 shaped to provide half-cylindrical bearing surfaces orbearings 55g and 55h, respectively, and shaped, when member 55 isrelated to the casing part I6 (Figure 9) to telescope or fit into therecesses |9c and 25a in the wall portions I9 and 25, respectively. Thehalfbearings 55g and 55h (Figure 3) are thus brought down on to and overthe trunnions 26a and 26h, respectively, that are already resting in thehalfbearings |9d and 25d, and thus adequate and substantial bearings forthe lever member 26 are provided and, when the plate member 55 issecured in position, lever member 26, justI like keeper member 2|, isfixed and held in assembled and operative relation to the other parts.

Again referring to Figure 3, the member 55 has depending therefrom andintegrally formed therewith a stud or pin 557', generally cylindrical inshape and proportioned with respect to the spring 22 (see Figure l) toenter into one end of the latter and to be gripped thereby, therebypermitting the spring to be fixed to the member 55 (Figure 3) prior tothe assembly of the cover member 55 to the casing part I6 (Figure 9).

Moreover, the stud or projection 557 (Figure 3) and hence the spring 22(Figure 1) is so positioned that, when cover member 55 is assembled tothe casing part I6, it is juxtaposed (see now Figure 1) to the' recess2lc in the keeper ,member 2| into which the other or otherwise free endof the spring 22 is received. Thus the assembly of the spring 22 intooperative relation to the moving parts of the mechanism is achievedsimultaneously with the assembly of the cover member 55 to the rest ofthe casing.

Again referring to Figure 3, the end face of cover member 55 hasdepending therefrom and integrally formed therewith a stud or lug 55kwhich becomes juxtaposed to and just about rests upon the upper end ofthe stud 28 (Figure 9), about which the armature 29 pivots, the part 55k(Figure 3) being of greater lateral expanse than the face of the stud 28(Figure 9) so that upward movement of the armature 29 along its stud 28is prevented. Armature 29 is thus confined, by the bottom wall I'I(Figure 9) and by the projection 55k (Figure 3) against movementlengthwise of the stud 28, though permitted freely to pivot or swingabout the latter within the limits earlier yabove described.

The cover member 55 (Figure 3) is provided along the forward edge of itsend face as viewed in Figure 3 with two spaced anges formingtherebetween a groove or slot 55m within which the rib 44h (Figures 8and 2) is received when the cover member 55 is related to the casingpart I6, the insulating member 44 (Figures 7 and 8) being thusperipherally encased or interposed and interengaged by the grooves inthe casing parts I6 and 55 which receive the peripheral ribs of theinsulating member 44. The latter is thus not only dependably xed inposition and its magnets 36-3I likewise xed in their relation to theother parts of the mechanism, but also is dependably and reliablyreenforced by the metal casing parts 55 and I6 and reliably preventedfrom warping or becoming distorted.

The rear edge of the member 55 as viewed in Figure 3 is stepped or cutaway as shown so that it will snugly interiit with the shape of theinside face of the wall 2!) (Figure. 9), the latter being thickened orenlarged as .at 20k about the recess 23 therein. This interfittingprevents the cover member 55 from moving toward the left relative to thecasing part vI6 while a downwardly directedge of the member 55 becomesseated to the left of the end wall I8 of the casing part I6 (Figure 9)and thereby prevents movement ofthe cover member 55 in a directiontoward the right.

As the member 55 thus rests in interfitting relation with the casingparts i6 and 44, its end face is also engaged by the thickened orenlarged post members ISIC and 25e, each of which is provided with athreaded hole as is clearly shown in Figure 9. With these threadedholes, holes 55q and 55s (Figure 3) register, the latter holesY beingcountersunk externally ofthe cover plate 55` to receive screws 56 and 51(Figure 9) which, when driven home, become threaded into the parts |9lcand 25e and securely hold the cover member 55 and the parts held by thelatter, all in assembled relation.

All of these operations of assembly are ccmpleted in but a minutefraction of the time that heretofore has been requisite in constructingso called electric door openers according to prior practice, a completeassembly being achievable in only a few seconds of time due to theunique structural features of the individual parts and due to the uniqueinterrelation and coaction thereof and therebetween.

The thus completed device is now ready to be installed, for example, inthe manner shown in Figure 1 and above already briefly described. Themoving or movable parta'particularly the keeper member 2|, the levermember 26 and the armature 29, normally assume the positions andinterrelations shown in Figures '1 and 2; the end portion 29e of thearmature 29 (Figure 2) overlies they insert 2l of the short arm 26d ofthe lever 26, confining it between itself and the bottom wall II of vthecasing. v'Lever 26 is thus virtually locked or held against swingingmovement about the axisof its trunnions and hence holds the keepermember 2|'V (see now Figure l). immovable in latch-bolt engagingposition, due to the arm 2 I b being received within the recess 26e o-fthe lever 26. Accordingly, the door I 0 is held against being openedfrom the outside unless a key or the like is employed to withdraw thelatch bolt I I.

If, however, the electro-magnetic means 30-'3I is energized, armature 29(see Figure 2) is swung in clockwise direction against the action of thespring 32 and thereby its end portion 29c'is moved out of engagementwith the member 21 (Figures 2 and 6) of the lever member 26, therebyfreeing the latter for swinging movement about the axis of its trunnionsand thereby also freeing the keeper member 2I V (Figure 1) for swingingmovement about the axis of its trunnions but in a counter-clockwisedirection, as viewed in Figure 1. Normally the spring 22 coacts to holdmembers 2| and 26 in the position shown in Figure 1, but itsholdingaction is yieldable; accordingly, with the electro-magnetic means 30-3Ienergized as above described, and if appropriate force is applied to thedoor I0 in door-opening direction, latch bolt II, as thedoor i0 swingsout of closing position, swings the keeper member 2| incounter-clockwise direction against the action of the spring 22 and lassoon as the latch bolt II is moved out of engagement with the keeperportion 2|a of the keeper memberl 2|, vspring 22 returns the keepermember 2| to its normal position, as shown in Figure 1, and likewisereturns the lever member 26 to the positions shown in Figures -11 and 2,spring 32 (Figure 2) acting upon the aramature 29, moving the latter andhence its end ,the leverv member 26.

` iof operations just described.

Thus it will be seen that there has been provided in this invention areleasable or retractable remotely controlled keeper construction or s0-called electric door opener? in which the various objects hereinbeforeset forth, together with many thoroughly practical advantages, aresuccessfully achieved. It will be seen that construction costs maybevastly reduced; parts, such as the casing part I6 of Figure 9 or theparts shown in Figures 3, 4, and k6, may be uniformly and inexpensivelyconstructed as by die casting and all of the parts inexpensivelystandardized as to dimensions, proportions and the like; accordingly,assembly or disassembly, as well as replacementof parts where necessary,may be quickly and inexpensively achieved. Furthermore, it will be seenthat the crude, expensive and troublesome constructions and practices ofthe. prior art may be dependably disposed with, and numerous thoroughlypractical advantages successfully achieved. Further, it will be seenthat the resultantconstruction is strong, rugged and durable, issubstantially fool-proof, and is well adapted to meet the conditions ofhard, practical use.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and asmany changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is tobe understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth, or shown in theaccompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

f 1. In construction of the character described, in combination, acasing having means for movably supporting therein a keeper, said casinghaving at least two walls separable therefrom, said casing being adaptedto contain therein mechanism, including` an armature, adapted to holdsaid keeper against movement and 'upon actuation to permit movementthereof, one of said walls being of solid dielectric material and havingmounted thereon and facing inwardly of said casingV and'toward saidarmature, electromagnetic means for coaction with said armature andhaving mounted upon the exterior face thereof terminal connecting means,and means whereby, when said other wall is assembled to said casing,said solid dielectric wall vis held in assembled relation and` saidelectromagnetic means is cooperatively positioned with respect to saidarmature.

Y 2. In construction of the character described, in combination, acasing having means for movably supporting therein a keeper, said casinghaving at least two Walls separable therefrom, said casingbeing adaptedto contain therein mechanism, including an armature, adapted to holdsaid keeper against movement and upon actuation, to permit movementthereof, one of said walls carrying electro-magnetic means for coactionwith said armature, and meanswhereby said one wall is intertted with therest of said vcasingand the other' of said walls is intertted with both,said electromagnetic means Vbeing thereby positioned and supported forcooperation with said armature. 3. In construction of the characterdescribed,

lin combination, 'a casing generally of rectangular cross section andadapted for having movably mounted therein a keeper together withmechanism for holdingr said keeper against movement and which mechanismis adapted, when actuated, to release said keeper, said mechanismincluding an armature, said casing comprising at least three separableparts, one part including a bottom wall and two end walls, said wallsbeing grooved adjacent one end thereof, a second part comprising a sidewall member intertted with the aforesaid grooved walls, said side wallcarrying means'which, when said side wall is assembled to saidfirst-mentioned part, is operatively related to said armature, and thethird part comprising a wall juxtaposed to said bottom Wall of said rstpart and engaging said side wall to hold the latter in said groovedother walls.

4. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casinggenerally of rectangular cross section and adapted for having movablymounted therein a keeper together with mechanism for holding said keeperagainst movemen-t and which mechanism is adapted, when actuated, torelease said keeper, said mechanism including an armature, said casingcomprising at least three separable parts, one part including l a bottomwall and two end walls, a second part comprising a side wall havingmeans for interfitting it with the walls of said first part, and athirdpart comprising a closing wall juxtaposed to the bottom wall ofsaid first part, one of said last two mentioned parts. carryingelectro-magnetic means positioned, when the wall carrying it isassembled to said first part, to coact with said armature, and meanswhereby said third part holds said second part in assembled relationV tosaid first part.

5. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casinggenerally of rectangular cross section and adapted for having movablymounted therein a keeper `together' with mecha.-

nism for holding said keeper against movement and which mechanism isadapted, when actuated, to release said keeper, said mechanism includingan armature, said casing comprising at least three separable parts, onepart including a bottom wall and two end walls, said first part carryinga stud and said armature having bearing means for the reception of saidstud, thereby pivotally to support said armature, a second partcomprising a side wall interfitted with at least two walls of said rstpart and carrying electro-magnetic means which, when said side wall isassembled to said first part, is positioned for coaction with thearmature carried by said stud, and a third part provided with means forsecuring it to said first part and overlapping said stud and said secondpart.

6'. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casinggenerally of rectangular cross section and adapted for having movablymounted therein a keeper together with mechanisrn for holding saidkeeper against movement and which mechanism is adapted, when actuated,to release said keeper, said mechanism including an armature, saidcasing having a bottom wall' member and an attachable opposed closingwall member, a stud flxedly related to said bottom wall member, saidarmature member having bearing means for the reception of said stud,whereby said armature may be assembled to said stud, and being therebypivotally mount-ed on the latter, said mechanism includingelectro-magnetic vmeans for coaction with said armature, and meanswhereby said closing Wall member, when attached to said casing, holdssaid armature in assembled relation to said stud.

7. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casinggenerally of rectangular cross section and adapted for having movablymounted therein a keeper together with mechanism for holding said keeperagainst movement and which mechanism is adapted, when actuated, torelease said keeper, said mechanism including an armature, said casingcomprising a casing part supporting said mechanismI and detachable wallmembers to complete said casing, said casing part having a stud fordetachably supporting said armature, one of said detachable wall memberscarrying electro-magnetic means which, when its Wall member is assembledto said part, is positioned for coaction with said armature, and anotherof said detachable wall members having means for holding said armaturein assembled relation to said stud.

8. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casinghavingk opposed wall members, one of which is separable from the other,each of said wall members carrying complementary bearing means which,when said wall members are assembled, form complete bearing means, akeeper having means receivable in one of said bearing means, the bearingmeans being completed by said complementary bearing means when saidseparable wall member is put in place, and means securing said wallmember to said casing, whereby said keeper is mounted for pivotalmovement and is held in assembled relation to said casing.

9. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casinghaving opposed wall members, one of which is separable from the other,each of said wall members carrying complementary bearing means which,when said wall members are assembled, form complete bearing means, akeeper having means receivable in one of said bearing means, the bearingmeans being completed by said complementary bearing means when saidseparable wall member is put and secured in place, whereby said keeperis mounted for pivotal movement and is held in assembled relation tosaid casing, said opposed wall members having additional complementarybearing means which, when said Wall members are assembled, form completebearing means, a member coacting with said keeper and adapter, uponpivoting movement, to prevent or permit pivoting movement of said keeperand having a means engageable in one of said additional complementarybearing means, another of said additional complementary means completingthe bearing means therefor when said separable wall member is put inplace whereby it is held in assembled relation to said casing and tosaid keeper, and means for securing said separable wall member to therest of said casing and thereby holding said keeper and said coactingmember in coacting and assembled relation.

10. In construction of the character described, in combination, a casingAhaving opposed wall members, one of which is separable from the other,each of said wall members carrying complementary bearingmeans which,when said wall members are assembled, form complete bearing means, akeeper having means receivable in one of said bearing means, the bearingmeans being completed by said complementary bearing means when saidseparable wall member is put and secured in place, whereby said keeperis mounted for pivotal movement and is held in assembled relation tosaid casing, said opposed wall members having additional complementarybearing means which, when said wall members are assembled, form completebearing means, a member ooacting with said keeper and adapted, uponpivoting movement, to prevent or permit pivoting movement of said keeperand having a means engageable in one of said additional complementarybearing means, another of said additional complementary means completingthe bearing means therefor when said separable wall member is put vinplace whereby it is held in assembled relation -to said casing and iscooperatively related to said keeper, a pivoting armature coacting withsaid member toprevent or to permit movement thereof, one of said wallmembers having a stud and said armature having bearing means receivableon to said stud, electro-magnetic means for controlling said armature,said electromagnetic means being carried by said casing in such aposition that it and said amature are cooperatively assembled upon saidarmature having its bearing means related to said stud, and meanswhereby said opposed wall members, when assembled, hold said armature inassembled relation to said stud.

1l. In construction of the character described, in combination, aone-piece casing part for Aan electric keeper-release mechanism andvadapted to be die cast, said part comprising bottom walls and side wallsintegrally formed and having inltegrally formed therewith upwardlydirected other face thereof terminal connecting means that is inelectrical connection with the winding of said electro-magnetic means.

13. A sub-assembly for forming part of the casing and mechanism of anelectric keeper-releasing device, said sub-assembly comprising, in Icombination, a casing wall member dimensioned to form part of the casingand having electromagnetic means mounted thereon, said electromagneticmeans having magnetic core means a part of which is embedded in saidwall and said wall member carrying terminal connecting meanselectrically connected to the winding of said electro-magnetic means.

14. A sub-assembly for forming part of the casing and mechanism of anelectric keeper-releasing device, said sub-assembly comprising, incombination, a casing wall member made of solid dielectric material andhaving mounted thereon and exposed on one face thereof velectro-magneticmeans forming part of said mechanism and having mounted thereon butexposed on the other face thereof a plurality of connecting terminalsthat are in electrical connection with the Winding of saidelectro-magnetic means, whereby, upon assembly of said sub-assembly tothe remainder of the casing and mechanism, said electromagnetic means ispositioned interiorly of the casing to coact with the remainder of saidmechanism, and said connecting terminal means are exposed externally ofthe casing.

' 15'. In'constructionof the characterv described, in combination, acasing having opposed Wall members, one of which is separable from theother, each of said Wall members carrying complementary bearing meanswhich, when said Wall members are assembled, form complete bearingmeans, a keeper having means receivable between said complementarybearing means, whereby said keeper is mounted for pivotal movement, amember that is to coact with said keeper and adapted -upon pivotingmovement to prevent or permit pivoting movement of said keeper in itssaid bearing means, said member having a bearing portion and saidopposed vWall members having additional complementary bearing means forreception of said bearingv portion but so positioned that, when saidopposed wall members are assembled with said bearing portion in saidadditional bearing means, said member is pivotally mounted in proper andcooperative relation to said'keeper, and a pivotable armature adapted tocontrol said member, said opposed wall members having portions forpivotally supporting and holding said armature but so positioned that,when said wall portions are assembled, said armature is properly andcooperatively related to ksaid member, vand means securing saidseparable wall member to the rest of said casing and thereby holdingsaid keeper, said coacting member and said armature against disassembly.

16. A construction4 as claimed in claim `15 in which there is providedelectromagnetic means for controlling said armature, said electromagfand electromagnetic means for controlling lsaid armature, thecombination which comprises a two-part casing therefonone casing parthaving means'for pivotally receiving and supportingsaid armature topivot about a certain axis, and supporting means for `saidelectromagnetic means, said two parts having coacting portions forreceiving and holding said supporting means in Such a position that theelectromagnetic means supported thereby is, upon assembly of said parts,

`properly and cooperatively related to said armature to control themovements thereof about its said axis.

HENRY F. KEIL.

